The slots industry has changed beyond recognition and although this has been gradual process overtime, there were huge advances in technology only recently and this is what changed the slot industry beyond recognition – play here.
It all started when a mechanic named Charles Fey invented the first-ever slot machine back in 1895. This early effort had three spinning reels that contained 5 symbols that included horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts and a Liberty Bell.
In 1891 New Yorkers Sittman and Pitt developed a gambling machine that used 5 drums. This held a total of 50 card faces and is probably one of the earliest efforts to mimic the slots that we have today.
In the early 1900s slots were officially banned as gambling tools but still existed in a form that allowed the public to win non-cash prizes such as bubble gum. In fact, this is how fruit machines came into existence as new fruit symbols were introduced to the reels.
The Move Towards Video Slots
The major technological breakthrough that changed the world of slots came with the first electrical slot machine that was called Money Honey. This was introduced to the public back in 1963.
In 1976 the first video slot was invented, this was the first time the slot machine had moved away from its mechanical predecessors. This machine used a modified 19-inch Sony TV screen for the display. These slots were accompanied by new symbols such as Stars, Crowns, 777 and Gems.
The 1990s will always be remembered in history for the digital revolution. This didn’t just change certain industries, it actually transformed the world due to the invention of the internet. The entertainment industry was especially invigorated and this included the world of gambling.
In 1996 the next major technological landmark occurred hot on the heels of the invention of the internet. It was the year the first online casino went live and the public could play traditional table games in the comfort of their own homes for the first time.
However, things were developing elsewhere in the gambling world and in the same year WMS Industries Inc released the first online video slot called Reel Em. This was the first-ever slot to feature a second screen bonus and it paved the way for a myriad of video slots we have today.
Video slot machines catered for a new age of highly sophisticated gamers who demanded a more complete experience rather than just a spin of a reel. It’s thanks to these video slots, that we have such hi-tech games now.
Final Thoughts
We now have 3D graphics and games that include animation and this has helped bring characters to life on the reels. Digital imagery has allowed for more extravagant bonus rounds. Themed slots that borrow from popular culture are all the rage and characters from movies and Television are regularly utilized by gaming manufacturers like never before.
Great examples of how far graphics have come can be seen in the Marvel slots, Age Of The Gods slots and film-themed slots like Jurassic Park.
